City Manager Search Listening Session - Blog

Thursday

Feb 20, 2014 at 9:09 PM

Posted By Walter Bird Jr.

Municipal Operations Committee

City Manager Search Listening Session

Chair Phil Palmieri, Tony Economou, George Russell

About two dozen people)

Palmieri: Great to see a good number of people before our committee. Pleased to have you here. Certainly, what I will do initially is introduce those people at our table. David Rushford, city clerk. Tony Economou, District 1; George Russell, District 3; Mayor Joe Petty. Absolutely thrilled and delighted to have the mayor here. Worked closely together on the issue of this public pronouncement on having people before this subcommittee, talking about what they see as important. Mayor has been relentless in his work and effort, in making sure all of these meetings are in order. Mayor does deserve real, I even would like to have us give him a round of applause. He's been hands on with this particular proposals of listening to you tonight and it's important. Unprecedented.

Petty: Probably most important thing city council can do is appoint city manager. Important issue. We have a draft of time-line that the chairman will put out along with RFP for search firm. Going out (hopefully one week) from now. Most important thing city council does, I think, behind the budget. We take it seriously, take the whole process seriously.

Palmieri: As transparent a process as we've had in municipal government in some time. Each of you will have 3 minutes. Anyone from the district will speak first. People may have come in before those in the district. Everyone will speak once during the process. Will not be allowed to speak at next hearing in Economou's district. Won't be same people week after week after week

Speakers:

Don Courtney: Contrary to local newspaper editorial, listening sessions have been done in past. AT Girls Club 20-plus years ago. Previous manager search, I was looking for manger who would sit down with bargaining units and talk and come up with solutions. Don't want to see anybody hidden on third floor. Someone who is going to say come on in. Looking for city manager not afraid of getting into passenger seat of fire truck, police cruiser, tree trimmer truck. Looking for manager who would ask city workers what could be done to better serve citizens. Not looking for manager who does not listen to department heads. I don't want to see manager who's afraid to go out there, drive down street, see something going on, and not pull over and see what is happening. Looking for manager who will be taking trips to Boston, to State House, knock on door to senator or state rep's office, to say here's what I'm hearing, what's the real story? I'd like to see manager who will go up there and say I'll sit here and wait for answer. Give me answer I can take back to my citizens. If committee, city council, city manager feel Augusts is best choice for manager job, don't wait until November to start process on contract. Get it done and get it done as soon as possible. For record, I would have no problems with Augustus serving longer than nine-month present contract.

Russell: This is gentleman who just a few days ago went into burning building to get folks out, a retired firefighter. He's done it multiple times. I want to thank Don Courtney for the bravery he shows, not only when member of fire department.

John Mulhane: I'd like to see mayor elected by the people. Franny McGrath wanted to be city manager forever. I feel as though we need to move up to mayor who's going to run the city. You got police department tout of control, fire department out of control. You need a Worcester mayor who's going to run the city like the manager did.

Palmieri: Could you keep your remarks, what we're looking to do, with respect to city manager. If you want to talk about mayor, fine, but being critical of public safety is not (why we're here tonight).

Mulhane keeps talking about police department

Palmieri tells him his three minutes are up

Etel Capacchione (with Dynamy, Youth Academy): Coming here as mom of two young boys and as youth worker. Today we just came back from advocating at State House with large group from Worcester advocating for youth. Want to bring that perspective what our young people want to see. Important that this person from this community. Looking for somebody who knows what our youth need, especially our youth of color. Somebody who's passionate, somebody not here to advance political career, but to advance agenda of Worcester community. Somebody all parts of our community can look at and feel connected to. Also looking for somebody not interested in advancing own political opinion. If you're able to find that person in our community, I would most definitely advocate for that person to be our next city manager.

Palmieri: If city manger was outside our community, whether outside Worcester County and beyond, would not be able to be effective, qualified?

Etel: They may have qualifications, but somebody who knows the complexities of the community, for me, would be the most important factor, rather than somebody who comes from different community. I feel that that person needs to know this community needs to be represented in all aspects. Don't feel they would be capable of connecting with everybody. They would be at disadvantage.

Councilor Kate Toomey arrives. Konnie Lukes arrives

Michael Testa: Like to see more jobs in company. We need more of a diverse company growth out there. Everyone doesn't have maybe a bachelor's degree. Our number one goal is to get more jobs in city. Again, I think we need more housing. More businesses touching everything. I would like carbon copy of Mr. O'Brien. I wish we had him again. I also would like to see, if you guys decided, maybe a strong mayor.

Palmieri: You're very active in Grafton Hill Neighborhood Association. You seem to be suggesting a local person would be better-suited for this job. Do you think having someone local would be in better position to have opportunity to create more jobs and housing?

Testa: Would probably have a leg up. They could live Worcester County. I think they know Worcester and Worcester County very well. I would say it would be a leg up for a person like that.

Palmieri: Because you believe they're networking with other local officials, would give them better opportunity to hit ground running

Testa: Yes. Worcester, sometimes, seems like they're dragging their feet. We have, hopefully, someone who would be local, hopefully, knock on wood, that would help.

Palmieri: I'm not completely convinced, but we will see

Dan Donahue: Speaking as resident. We cannot under-value the importance this decision will have on future of our city. This change in leadership is of fundamental importance as to where we'll go in future. When it comes to city manager, I find as resident, the most important values city manager should have is dedication to his work and work in our neighborhoods. Each have distinct challenges, issues. Need to make sure we have CM who understands each of those neighborhoods. Also think CM needs to have creative form of leadership. Having a vision and plan for future of city of Worcester. Someone who understands city's past and present, but also how to move it to its future. We have interim CM who has many of these values.

Palmieri: We’ve got five districts in this city. Some might get a little more than others (laughs). Certainly we need to have someone who's going to capture imagination of city leaders in each neighborhood, but also ability to capture dollars. Take care of those people who have been left behind.

Mentions Visitor Center (Testa did also). Talks about it taking leadership to make it a reality

Russell: If, and only if, they think maybe it is time for the council to consider putting change of form of government on ballot, maybe this might be proper forum for them to mention it. If that is the tone of the electorate, this would be great time to hear it. We're not going to curtail anyone from what they'd like to talk about with respect to, primarily, city manager. Always been strong underlying issue of strong mayor. We're just in first 30 minutes of first public session. My money at this point in time, I have more of interest in listening to critical qualities we want to see in new CM. Some of issues raised to this point, I think, are right on the money.

School Committee member Brian O'Connell present

Lorraine Laurie: lifelong resident of 64 Dorchester St. I am a Union Hill, Vernon Hill and especially Green Island activist. Like to see CM who knows neighborhoods inside out, almost as much as lifelong residents. Someone who, as soon as he is appointed, team up with mayor, taking mayor's walks, not just sending someone from staff. Getting in touch with police chief and telling chief it's time to sit up city-wide summit. CM has to get right into the neighborhoods, know the assets, like Crompton Park or Vernon Hill Park, know the problems. Need to know our neighborhoods and really immerse themselves in everything. I grew up with manager form of government. Had good luck with all the city manager. Well, I like Eddy Augustus. Met him when he was senior at St. John's. I was impressed then. I followed his career. If I were on City Council, I would seriously consider Ed Augustus. But if someone came along and council agreed someone from outside city was right one, then everyone on the council needs to sit with manager and say I want you to come down to the district and meet the people. City manager form of government gives especially the district councilors, I can call up and get petitions in. If you have strong mayor, I want to know how it would impact the district councilors. I basically want a CM who is there for the little guy. They have to have feel for the neighborhoods, because Worcester is a city of neighborhoods, not somebody who's all technical.

Petty: We're not here to talk about change of government. We're here to talk about city manager

Sue Moynagh: Harrison St., Union Hill and proud of it. A lot of view2s expressed are accurate. Think we need someone from area, but I think skill set is important. Has to be proper balance. Worcester is more diverse city, more disabled, more college students coming in, different education levels. Someone as CM has to have good people skills, to hire the right people to do the jobs. He or she has to be able to work with everything from weather issues, public safety, whether it's fire issues up at Union or Canal District Alliance, or public service agencies, the business associations. We've got a wide range of different groups. It is a city of different neighborhoods, but also city of different backgrounds and interests. Like to see someone, they should live in the city they're working in. People they're hiring should be able to go and communicate with these people at different meetings. Most important thing is communication. Whoever comes in should listen before they make decisions, because we do know what we need. We live here. I want somebody here that really knows what's going on, and if they don't they're willing to listen, and cooperate and compromise. They have to be able to work, not just within Worcester, there's a lot of stuff going on outside Worcester. I'd like to see somebody that could work with these or just admit they don't know.. or get right people to help them do our job. Thank you for listening to our voice.

William Feegbeh: City manager who will share responsibility and prosperity. If you get city manager in this city who will look for all the people. If I become city manager, want to make sure we have good police, fire department, public works. That city manager should be able to work with mayor and city council at large. I know if we have new city manager, regardless of where they came from, that doesn't matter, not relevant. We definitely want someone from Massachusetts here, who can speak one or two languages in city. Different groups in city. Need city manager who will be there for everybody and I'm the one who will try to make a difference. The mayor is a great mayor. He's got all the qualifications.

Mullen Sawyer: What a great discussion. AS I sat there, I am thinking of three things. We work very closely on Union Hill with city administration as means to kind of pinpoint needs of our community and residents and look for resources that would impact that. Can't bring in money from federal or state government, or even locally, without clear, cohesive plan. Most important part of any plan is the leadership. It's really clear we all win when we connect neighborhoods, which is the people of the neighborhoods, with will of our legislative delegation, with the resources – when we align those interests, we all win. We get better parks, better schools, lifelong progression of learning. We also win in exposing everybody to culture, world-class culture. When all of those things are aligned in same direction, as they are right now, they're profound. It's no accident. It's your investment, your leadership. I have to say, but we did our last city manager a great disservice in expecting that one human being has all those traits, skills and abilities. I think it's too much. Use this process to look at city government structure, to look at who you have that's going to make a difference Look at who is already in position. Figure out what is best way to go. We trust you to lead us. From me to you, if Ed's the right person, go with Ed. If you find someone in the process that's better, you better communicate it with us. Thank you for inviting our participation

Jo Hart: Of course, I disagree with everybody, because I think Worcester is in shackles. It should be freed. It suffers desperately from localism. We need somebody to make that happen. I think a local, well I said it suffers from localism. You as council are skewing process by not allowing us to talk about form of government. That's not fair. The person should definitely be elected. You should consider that. Where did the rule get made that a person can only speak once?

Palmieri: This committee. Prior to the session.

Hart: Where did the rule come from? In secret

Palmieri: You have another 30 seconds

Hart: Worcester suffers from secrecy. The only thing transparent in Worcester is secrecy

Ron Madnick: I support a city manager. Mayors get elected. Hopefully, our present mayor will be mayor for many years to come. When you interview candidates for CM, I think it's important they understand that chief law enforcement officer in city under Plan E isn't police chief. It is the city manager. WE have a relatively small police department. I remember a time there was a father and four sons. You had to know the middle initial to know which of the sons you were dealing with. There are times when the manager has to step in. There's a tendency to do things in house. Sometimes, the manager has to be active. Sometimes the relationships are so close within department, that it's difficult to investigate each other. That's when manager really has to step in.

Sue Mailman: I'm here to talk as business owner in city about importance of what you're doing. I think a search and a serious search for as good a candidate as we can get is what should happen here. I also think Ed Augustus should be considered. Integrity. He brings that to the table. Think we're looking for strong negotiator, strong collaborator. An effort to keep collaboration going is critical right now. Strong economic development background would be important. I do support Plan E. Think it's worked well for city.

Brian O'Connell: Thank you for giving the level of courtesy to people of community to be able to speak up. Hope you do vibrant search that looks nationally, find best person possible. Truly believe we are community with great prospect of success in future with right leadership. We have qualities here we'd do well to preserve. Look for someone that can provide not only wisdom, but vision. Focus on commerce, on business, combination of manufacturing and service capabilities. Focus on public education. Someone that appreciates our neighborhoods. Also willingness to listen. Someone who can actually spend time to listen to this community and receive sound advice our citizens can provide.

Zion Mesfin and Le'ul Mesfin (children of Mesfin Beshir):

Zion: I think that people should have someone that knows what they're doing and should be helpful to one another.

Le'ul: Someone who would think about schools of Worcester, like how would they get the money for field trips and somebody who would care for society here in Worcester.

Palmieri: I'm pleased that you've come before the committee and that you had courage and conviction to be able to speak to us. It's not very easy.

We both go to Union Hill and (Lu'el) I'm 10, fifth. I'm (Zion) 8 and in third. Le'ul going to Worcester Academy next year.

Palmieri: That's terrific.

Zion: I think our city manager should be able to care for the governor and do the work the governor does. He or she shouldn't be able to sit on the couch all day. (laughs)

Palmieri: Great to hear so many of you talk about former city manager. Did a remarkable job, regardless of political persuasion. We hope our next city manager will, hopefully, be his equal. We need to continue to hear what the most important issues are. I'm pleased we've had this outpouring from critical elements in Councilor Russell's district. Some might have suggested that no one was going to be here tonight. The community has come and spoken.

Russell: I think the lesson to be learned here for the other district, if I can suggest, is by just communicating with folks in neighborhood groups, I give Testa a lot of credit. I think it's a good start.

Economou: Thank everyone for coming out tonight. Encouraging to hear from everybody that's attended tonight that we are coming from a good place going forward. I look forward, and I can see another theme common in tonight's meeting is concern of our neighborhoods and making sure we're doing all we can to back up our residents and businesses. Should be a good run here as we go forward.

Petty: Thank committee, Mr. Chairman, for doing good job. Thank everyone for coming out tonight. You all made good comments. Right from the heart of the neighborhood. I appreciate the comments.

Palmieri has RFP for search firm. Petty wants it on agenda for Tuesday night. Also mayor' s office working with chairman to come up with time-line. Some people were interested in time-line. Will have this on council.

Rushford: We can process the RFP. Essentially similar document to one used 21 years ago. There's an attached draft time-line that mirrors as closely as possible the time-line that ended up being used in 1993.

RFP will be on city web site Friday night as part of council agenda

Search firm will be working closely with councilors

RFP and draft schedule accepted by MO Committee

Have a story tip or idea? Call Walter Bird Jr. at 508-749-3166, ext. 322, or email him at wbird@worcestermagazine.com. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @walterbirdjr and friend Walter on Facebook. Catch Walter with Paul Westcott every Thursday morning at 8:35 on radio station WTAG 580AM for all things Worcester!

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